Genius Blacksmith's Game

Barad nearly let an exclamation slip from his lips without realizing it.

He knew well the power of skill.

It was the purest power a human could possess, an absolute force that rendered possibility inexhaustible.

A power not comparable in the least to mere probability or a mere temporary force.

“Skill is the strongest weapon for producing the most consistent result.”

Barad. As he fixed his gaze on Hyunsoo, he felt an inexplicable thrum in his chest.

“A blacksmith who can say ‘skill’ before me.”

Strength gathered in the hand resting on the armrest of his chair.

He, too, knew the power of what was called skill.

He was living proof, and by skill alone he had come to this seat.

Barad, taking Hyunsoo into his eyes, gave a thin smile.

“You possess the finest weapon.”

In this moment Barad wanted to make the walk. No one had yet made a sword that satisfied him.

“Time is running short...”

Soon there would be that thing he would no longer be able to do.

“I will stake it on your skill. Blacksmith Hyun. I commission—no.”

Barad’s eyes settled calmly.

Eyes like a deep lake looked into Hyunsoo’s.

“I ask you to make my sword.”

It was the best courtesy a king who had slighted him could offer.

[Affinity with Sword King Barad increases.]

[Beginner Sword Mastery Lv.2 Proficiency +45%.]

[You gain 20 Renown.]

And Hyunsoo was startled by the notifications that sounded.

“Just from Affinity rising, Sword Mastery and Renown go up...?”

Thinking it over, he could tell why.

“Sword King Barad is a king...”

The Kingdom of Goyard was a small state, but thanks to the king named Barad it was not looked down upon.

Such a king would be one of the hardest entities in Ares to raise Affinity with.

The reward, then, for having built Affinity with such a king.

“What happens if it hits MAX?”

For no good reason, a sense of expectation rose in him.

A notification popped up at once.

DING!

[Linked Quest: The King’s Trial complete.]

He ordered a retainer:

“Bring all the true materials that remain.”

Soon a retainer set down, before Hyunsoo, materials contained in a golden chest.

“I shall give you two weeks. In that time of two weeks, I want you to draw out to the maximum the Fire-attribute Resistance that this Cold-Iron holds. The sword must contain the power to cut monsters with high Fire-attribute power.”

[Linked Quest: The King’s Crafting Commission]

Grade: S

Restriction: One acknowledged by the King

Reward: ???

Penalty on Failure: Banishment from the Kingdom of Goyard.

Description: Sword King Barad of the Kingdom of Goyard has commissioned the making of a sword.

Having accepted the quest, Hyunsoo wore a puzzled expression.

Because the reward was listed as ???.

Barad leaned forward with a confident smile.

“Every sword you bring me, I will pay what it is worth. Also—”

Barad smiled with confidence.

“Oh blacksmith who said the source of power is skill. Do not forget that I am a king. If you satisfy me...”

He gave a thin smile.

“Then speak, what it is you desire.”

“...!”

Hyunsoo was astonished at that confident expression.

“If I satisfy a king, what could I obtain?”

His chest trembled. But that was only if he satisfied the king.

At last he threw open the golden chest set before him.

[You obtain the Epic ore Hundred-Year Cold-Iron (百年寒鐵).]

Expectation turned real. That Cold-Iron, too, was graded by {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the passage of years.

“The Cold-Iron I just used must have been the lowest tier.”

And Hundred-Year Cold-Iron, Thousand-Year Cold-Iron, and at the end Ten-Thousand-Year Cold-Iron would exist.

And Hundred-Year Cold-Iron, presumed far superior to the Cold-Iron from just before.

That was the material for the king’s sword.

Hyunsoo gauged the amount of Hundred-Year Cold-Iron.

“Enough to make about three swords.”

He checked the information.

(Hundred-Year Cold-Iron)

Grade: Epic

Restriction: Blacksmith Lv.250+

Difficulty: Medium-High.

Special Abilities

· Fire-attribute Resistance +56%

· Ice-attribute Skills rise up to Epic.

· Swords Cutting Power +112%.

· Durability increases to Infinite.

· Sword Skill Damage +35%.

· Durability increases to Infinite.

Description: Hundred-Year Cold-Iron, far superior to Cold-Iron. Having lain buried in cold earth for over a hundred years, it holds a powerful chill.

“Insane...”

Hyunsoo let out a hollow laugh.

It was, to the letter, a crazy ore. And this ore exhibited the best efficiency for making a sword.

“Cutting Power +112%, seriously?”

As he finished checking, Barad spoke.

“To satisfy me, those effects must approach their maximums. Fire-attribute Resistance will need to come out at 45% or higher.”

“Understood.”

A question suddenly occurred to Hyunsoo.

“If, after I make a sword that satisfies Your Majesty, there is material left, may I use the remaining ore?”

For the first time, Barad’s brow knit.

“No.”

He was firm. Crossing both legs and looking at Hyunsoo, he said,

“If I am satisfied, I would sooner take you to the place where that ore can be mined.”

It was an even more shocking offer.

The crux was this:

He would have to dare to satisfy a king.

“Epic. It will have to be a sword of about that grade.”

Soon Barad called out in a loud voice.

“Deputy Commander Bella, enter.”

After a moment the door opened and a woman came in.

She was truly a beautiful woman.

Black hair and Western features formed a fitting harmony, and her snow-white skin was enough to elicit admiration.

And eyes of silver, in contrast to that, even lent a mysterious air.

[Bella Lv.301]

Her level too was extremely high.

“While the sword is being made, Bella will be with you. Step out for a moment; there is talk I must have with Bella.”

At that, Hyunsoo stepped outside.

About five minutes after Hyunsoo went out, the deputy commander called Bella came out.

“I will guide you.”

With an expression that looked cold, Bella led Hyunsoo to the forge.

****

Arriving at the forge, Hyunsoo looked at the deputy commander called Bella, who had taken a place to one side.

“A watcher’s role?”

Hyunsoo gave a wry smile. He felt a slight disappointment toward Barad, but it was natural.

Just then—

[The doorbell is ringing.]

The real-world doorbell and the VVIP virtual-reality capsule were linked.

Someone had pressed the doorbell at Hyunsoo’s home.

“I will pay a visit to the world where I live.”

Bella, leaning her back against the wall with her arms folded, nodded.

[You have logged out.]

Back in reality, Hyunsoo again heard the doorbell ringing.

When he opened the door, the landlady wore an awkward smile.

“Hello.”

“Hyunsoo, you’re home?”

Hyunsoo lived in a small studio on the second floor of a detached house.

“Hyunsoo, I’m sorry. My husband’s been out of work lately, so we’ve decided to sell this house.”

Landlady Kim Hyesuk wore a bitter expression.

Hyunsoo gave an abashed smile.

“Don’t be sorry. If anything, I should apologize. I was often late on rent, and I’m living here far cheaper than the going rate.”

Hyunsoo grasped exactly the gist of what Hyesuk was saying.

Once the house was sold, the new owner would not be understanding of Hyunsoo.

At present he was living at roughly half the market rate.

Even that had come after the original rent had gone unpaid, and she had lowered it.

“When should I move out?”

“In about two weeks... I’m ashamed to face you, Hyunsoo.”

“Please don’t say that. I really lived well here.”

And he had. The lady would often bring leftover side dishes or something tasty she had made.

And the landlord, too, always greeted him brightly and would sometimes give him a ride to the hospital.

“My husband knows someone who runs a factory, and the pay seems decent. If you’re interested, should I recommend you?”

Some might call it nosy. But Hyunsoo shook his head politely.

At least this landlady was someone who had the right to be nosy.

Hyunsoo smiled as brightly as he could for the apologetic landlady.

“It’s okay. I found a job.”

“Really?”

Her face brightened as if it were her own affair.

“Yes.”

“May I ask what kind of work?”

“...What I do best.”

The landlady looked puzzled at that.

“I’ll look for another place within two weeks. Thank you for everything until now.”

“Oh, what’s with the formalities. I have some fruit at home—want some?”

“I still have what you gave me before.”

After a few words, the landlady seemed to hesitate, as if there were something she wanted to say.

“It’s okay.”

At Hyunsoo’s smile, the lady began to ramble.

“You know, Hyunsoo. Sometimes I feel bad because you’re too polite. I wish you were just like kids your age... Goodness, what am I even saying. I should get going.”

She fled down the stairs.

After she left, Hyunsoo closed the door and, coming into the room, looked around with a wry smile.

“Two weeks...”

Looking around the room, an indescribable stillness rushed in. In a tiny room of about 5 pyeong with a bathroom, a capsule took up half the home.

He had indeed earned a lot of money, but had spent it all.

But what felt sadder still was something else.

Just then a call came from Jihoon as well.

—What are you doing?

“Just here. Why?”

—Why else, my mom made side dishes this time. The stir-fried anchovies and the soy-braised beef are killer. When should I bring them?

“...”

For a moment Hyunsoo was at a loss for words.

—When am I coming over, you punk?

“Thanks.”

—Huh? Did you level up your Cringe Skill? Ugh... I think I’m gonna puke... I’m hanging up, gotta go puke. Anyway I’m bringing side dishes tomorrow.

Perhaps embarrassed, Jihoon hurried to hang up.

Hyunsoo wore a choked expression.

He was grateful to those who had helped him, but he also felt an inexplicable sense of smallness.

Just then another call came.

Nell. It was Kim Hyein.

—Hyunsoo, what are you up to? I just thought of something that might be really fun.

“Just here.”

—Huh? What’s with your voice?

Hyunsoo had never actually met Hyein in person.

Perhaps because of that, his inner thoughts spilled out. He didn’t talk about what he’d gone through.

He only spoke about the favors he’d received and why that left a bitter taste.

—...I see. You feel small.

“Yeah. I’m grateful, but I feel really bad.”

At that, the other end of the line was quiet for a moment.

Then she spoke with a small laugh.

—Then repay them. You have the ability to do that.

Hearing her words, he felt an unknown strength form.

—Hyunsoo, you are, in my view, the most valuable person in Ares. That’s why I decided to become your first guild member.

It was strange. Her comfort brought a small smile.

—If you finish this sword commission, you might be able to repay them.

“Repay them...”

Right. It could be so.

No—he would make it so. If Barad was satisfied, the value would be beyond imagination.

Then curiosity arose.

“What was it you wanted to say?”

She had said she’d thought of something really fun.

—Hyunsoo, you believe that if you satisfy King Barad, the reward will be enormous money, right?

“Of course.”

—But that will be the reward that ends things at the first stage. There’s a reward more valuable than that.

“A more valuable reward?”

Hyunsoo wore a puzzled expression.

A reward more valuable than that enormous money?

Hyein spoke in an excited voice.

—Sword King Barad is one of the most influential NPCs on the current Korea server. If he appears somewhere, it’s on the game channels; just meeting him makes players rejoice, and the community fills up with talk of him.

It was certainly true.

The power of a top-named NPC called a king is beyond our imagination.

—And that Barad will wield a new sword engraved with the name “Hyun.”

“...Wow.”

Hyunsoo understood what she was getting at.

—Can you even imagine how players will react when they see the character for Hyun engraved on the sword he holds?

No, it was hard even to imagine.

—This will be the biggest first step in branding Hyun.

Hyunsoo clenched his fist. An inexplicable tremor rose from his chest.

—Now you see, right? That what’s at your fingertips will change a lot. What are you waiting for?

She spoke in a voice full of force.

—Go change your life right now.

Hyunsoo logged into Ares. To change his life.